Friday, December 20, 2013

Los Angeles (December 20, 2013) – The American Arbitration
Association recently issued its decision suspending volleyball player Alix
Klinemen from competition from May 22, 2013 through June 9, 2014 for her
inadvertent use of a banned supplement, thereby allowing her to return to
competition early next summer.

In its decision, the AAA Panel summarized the reasons for
its decision as follows:

“USADA
agreed with [Alix Klineman’s] contention that she is not a drug cheat.[Alix Klineman] is an exceptional, forthright
person who unfortunately finds herself caught up in the persistent world-wide
efforts to eradicate performance enhancing drugs in sport through the
imposition of stringent minimum penalties even where clear and convincing proof
exists that an athlete made a small error with no intent to gain a competitive
advantage.”

In responding to the AAA decision, Alix Klineman stated as
follows:

“This has been a devastating
experience for me. It is an understatement to say it is heartbreaking for me to
be punished for something I never intended to do. Having accidentally taken a
banned substance means that I am placed in the same category as those who meant
to cheat to get an unfair advantage. This, of course, was never my intention
nor did I ever know that I was taking a banned substance.

Nevertheless, I am pleased that the
Arbitration Panel recognizes that I never attempted to gain any competitive
advantage nor did I obtain any competitive advantage through my mistake.
Further, the panel has stated in their report that they believe that I took
reasonable precautions to avoid taking any prohibited substances.

I look forward to returning to
competition as soon as possible, and working toward my ultimate goal of
representing my country at the 2016 Olympic Games.”